About Greyhounds

About Greyhounds

Greyhounds placed through the GPA program usually are between two and five years old. These ex-racers are intelligent, quiet, clean, gentle, good-natured, adaptable dogs who adjust readily to their new home environment. They are eager to please and respond positively to any attention. They seem grateful for their new homes and regard their new owners with never-ending affection. They do not require a great deal of space to run, as many people think, but they do need exercise. Inside the house they enjoy curling up in a corner on a soft blanket. Greyhounds spend most of their lives in the company of other dogs, their trainers, and handlers. Greyhounds have all the advantages of breeding and training when it comes to being a good pet. Their sociability generally makes them great with other pets (including cats!). Their temperament makes them wonderful around children and friends. Their intelligence and breed make them perfect house pets, clean, quiet, and a loving companion. Whether you are a family looking for a playful friend, or an individual looking for a devoted companion, a well-mannered greyhound could be just the pet for you. Because greyhounds have been raised in kennels, a careful introduction into a suitable home environment is a must for successful placements.

Shy Dogs

"Shy dogs are so special. They tug at our hearts like no others do. We watch them with so much hope as every advancement they make is accomplished. Every little act of bravery is a huge victory.

I watch my Whisper Willow dog, who was but a shell of dog when I got her, scared of every noise, shadow, and person. Even to this day we celebrate victories in her battle against fear.

If you ever are in a position to adopt a shy dog, consider it. Don't walk past them and think "that one is too much trouble". For the rewards you will reap in the long run will far outshine any bumps you have along the way. You will never find a dog that will bond with you quite so much as that shy dog that slowly, quietly, bravely, inches his or her way into your heart."

—Sue Burkhard Benton Harbor MI

Adoption Process:From the Track to their Retirement Homes

As Greyhound racing has ended in New England, the process for groups receiving dogs in this area has changed. Most of the retired racers coming north will come from Florida or Alabama. The process is a lot more involved and takes a lot of planning at the beginning. As dogs are made available for adoption they will be taken in by folks running adoption groups or holding kennels. They will make general observations as to temperament, small animal capabilities and any medical needs.

Then they will generate lists of Greyhounds available, small animal safe or not, and special needs. Those lists are sent to people who contact adoption groups and the dog haulers they work with. Adoption groups will request a certain number of dogs; if they need small animal workable; vetted or not. The haulers set up dates they will make the trip north and arrangements will be made where and when to pick up their dogs.

These people doing the work at that beginning stage have a daunting task. As if keeping track of all these dogs wasn’t enough, now they have endless amounts of paperwork to deal with.

Each state has their own requirements. Some are easy and only require a rabies certificate. New Hampshire not only requires a rabies certificate, but also an interstate health certificate. Once they arrive in NH, they immediately go into a mandatory 48 hour quarantine. There they are observed and tested for any infectious or contagious disease. After the 48 hours and they pass testing, have their shots updated if needed and microchipped, they are issued a NH health certificate which is valid for 14 days. Then they can be released to a licensed NH shelter.

The new arrivals will spend some time in a foster home learning about stairs, TV’s, vacuums, and other household horrors. Those that were deemed small animal workable will be sent to live in a home with cats to learn to coexist. During this time people can meet them if interested in adoption.

If anyone is interested in adopting a Greyhound, they will fill out and submit an adoption application. A GPA-CNHC representative will contact the applicant and discuss the application, answer any questions and arrange for a home visit. If the applicant is interested in a specific Greyhound, arranges will be made to meet that Greyhound.

After the home visit has been conducted and a Greyhound matched for the applicant, the Greyhound will need to have a new health certificate issued. A fecal sample is sent out for testing. If the results are negative a vet visit will be arranged. Shots will be updated if needed, a general health exam is performed and if no issues are found, and the Greyhound will be issued an adoption health certificate.

The Greyhound will be adopted from GPA-CNHC actual physical address in Milton Mills,NH. Another option would be our monthly M&G at Portsmouth Petco. State of NH rules require that adoption has to be done from the groups actual physical address or at an adoption event (Petco). In the past we have delivered Greyhounds to their adoptive home. We are sorry but we will not be able to offer that service any longer.

GPA-CNHC supplies the Greyhound and their adoptive family a new collar and leash, basket muzzle and the books Adopting the Racing Greyhound and Greyhounds for Dummies. We will always be available to answer any questions you may have.

Our goal is to have a successful adoption and being able to see your Greyhounds picture on the Happy Tails page.